Seaside Siren

The Sea Garden Skirt From Banjo & Cake

When this skirt arrived in the post I squealed in delight because it was even more perfect in person than in the pictures.

I love anything with a cute and quirky pattern, and this one just ticked all the right boxes..

Seriously.. octopuses, squid, fish and seahorses, how could I say no?!

Discovering Banjo & Cake on Instagram, I fell in love with there rockabilly inspired range. 

Usually I go for more of the traditional pinup look, however sometimes I like to branch out into edgier styles and I feel like the Sea Garden Skirt works so perfectly. 

Made from silky poly/cotton material with a lining of a soft knit and tulle, which gives this skirt shape with or without a petticoat. 

Designed with a simple invisible zip at the back, and the best surprise ever... pockets!!

From the picture below you can see how chuffed I was to discover those bad boys, I just think every dress and skirt should have pockets!

How adorable is this print...I'm in heaven!!

Ive teamed this gorgeous skirt with a top I bought from Forever New, a simple blue chiffon scarf, belt from Pinup Girl Clothing and Black flats from Target.

The simplicity of the red lipstick and nails create a beautiful contrast amongst all the blue and black, and its such fun look which can be easily dressed up by adding heels.  

These photos were taken by my loving fiancé at the gorgeous local beach in Dudley, NSW. 

Being such perfect weather and such an amazing location we were able to run around and get some amazing shots. 

If you love this skirt, it also comes in a dress, leggings, socks, cardigan and swimwear (which is a personal fav)..

Check out this skirt and much more at 

Banjo & Cake

www.toofastonline.com/m-292-banjo-cake.aspx 

instagram.com/banjoandcake

Much love

Betté

xx

Winter is definitely coming...

The Vivien Coat in Black by Hell Bunny

People who know me, know that I hate being cold. 

Living in South East coast of Australia it gets pretty damn cold, not freezing temperatures (although you can drive an hour to see snow) but we get the cold sea winds which sometimes feel like they are going to blow me away! 

So I have been searching for a coat that is thick enough to handle the weather but stylish enough that I don't look like the Michelin Man!

Say hello to the Vivien coat by Hell Bunny...

This coat literally makes me gasp every time I look at it, and when I wear it I feel like Elizabeth Taylor! Hell Bunny has truly outdone themselves with this one.

Now I actually received the Vivien Coat in Spring last year, and with our Spring being as hot as our Summer it has been sitting in my wardrobe, waiting patiently.... 

And with our last weeks of Autumn it was finally time to bring her our for her grand reveal!

 First up it's incredibly warm, the thickness of the coat, the longer length, faux fur collar and cuffs..  

I was a toasty marshmallow inside.

My favourite thing about the Vivien is the cut and silhouette, this dress was made to put over swing skirts and petticoats as the coat itself has a full skirt. 

Having a full skirt itself it also falls perfectly over wiggle dresses and skirts, as the coat brings in the waistline and creates perfect shape and lines at the bottom.

I truly can not find one flaw in this coat, its perfect and I'm in love.

Now I will be honest and say it was a little pricey, around the $200 (AUD) mark, but in saying that most quality coats are in that price range, and if I have to pay a little extra for quality and durability I wouldn't even hesitate. 

Much Love 

xx

Betté

Honour thy Hepburn

 SHOOTING FOR SARSPARILLY- PART 2

 Another gorgeous dress from my shoot for Sarsparilly

The Lady V London Hepburn dress.!!

Im so excited that I finally get to share all these pictures... this dress OMG this dress!

I truly felt like a princess wearing this dress, everything from the colour to the cotton sateen, the cut and silhouette... arghh I can not get enough!
Designed with a full flare skirt, high neckline and seams that mould to your body.
 The Hepburn just screams 1950s sheer elegance 

Worn in these pictures with a long Hell Bunny petticoat, you can see how the fullness at the base of the skirt really brings in the waistline, creating gorgeous shape.. and really, what girl doesn't like to accentuate her curves?  

Another thing I truly love about this dress is that it has a long zip at the back.

I find with some vintage repro dresses they have the side zip, which means I have to put the dress on before I finish doing my hair and makeup (which is a pet hate of mine)

With the Hepburn I simply can step right into the dress and away I go!!

Photography by Vesper Cave

Styled by Maria Murphy

Hair & Makeup by Me :)

Having seen this dress on women sized between 8-28 and it absolutely suits every shape and size, this dress is designed to sit just below the knees but because Im such a shorty it sits at tea length on me.. and so does every dress I wear haha.

Much Love

xx

Betté

Shop this dress and so much more 

sarsparilly.com

The Candy Apple Rain Dress

SHOOTING FOR SARSPARILLY- PART 1

I always feel so blessed when people ask me to do photo shoots in their products, I get to represent something that they have poured their heart and soul into.

Maria Murphy, owner/ designer of Newcastle based clothing label Sarsparilly, is one of the most genuine and beautiful people I have ever met. We work together at our day jobs and met through fellow co workers, both having a love affair with mid century fashion we were bound to get along and also both being shorties we definitely see eye to eye (yes I did crack myself up with that joke). 

Maria is a woman who can juggle it all, creating gorgeous dresses and accessories, working a full time job, being a wife, mother to the cutest little boy ever and about to pop with her second child! 

Sarsparilly dresses are all designed by Maria and made in Melbourne. Maria goes to the trouble of importing all material for her dresses, not only to get uniquely patterned material but also to get the best quality. 

Maria Murphy Owner/designer of Sarsparilly

The Candy Apple Rain Dress

This gorgeous Candy Apple Rain dress by Sarsparilly is beautifully made with the finest cotton, featuring a side zip, full skirt and bow detail at the back. I wore this dress to work last week and can honestly say (after 8 hours of wearing it) that it is one of the most comfortable dresses I have ever worn (and also one of the most complimented).

 The Back Bow Detail

Headband by Sarsparilly

This was one of the most fun photoshoots I have ever done, running up and down hills costume changes in the middle of the park and so many laughs. 

Chloe was our photographer, she is one of Maria's long time friends. She is so professional and such a sweet hearted person(Check out her Facebook page below). 

Please check out Sarsparillys website for all your pinup needs!!

Sarsparillys website not only sells Marias designs but also a huge range of pinup labels.

www.sarsparilly.com

Photography by Vesper Cave Photography

Photo Shoot Styled By Maria Murphy

Hair & Makeup By Me :)

Much Love 

Betté Boom

xx

The Magenta Marilyn

Heart of Haute, Designed and made in America from the mother daughter duo Teresa & Amanda Becker.

HH is 10 years strong and is just getting bigger and bigger!! 

With their timeless designs and affordable prices its easy to see why.

I first fell in love with their Marilyn top when I saw it on the Pinup Girl Clothing Website,  they were so popular that every time I went to buy one they had sold out. 

Buying straight from the HH website, they always have the Marilyn top available AND in several different colours and patterns!!! 

Well you know me.. I NEED THEM ALL.!!!!

The Marilyn oozes "sex kitten", whilst not having to show off too much skin.

Made from knit material it stretches over your body, giving you a flattering silhouette, it's perfectly designed to sit off the shoulders comfortably and makes for a "must have" wardrobe staple as you can pair it with absolutely anything..!!

Today, I paired the Marilyn with my black capris by Deadly Dames. 

Hands down the best capris I have ever worn!

They make me feel so confident, fitting to my body like they were made especially for me. Having a small waist and bigger hips usually means pants are a "no go" for me, 

But Micheline Pitt designed these capris perfectly. 

Made for a stretch material with a zipper at the back (to really bring it in at the waist), the Deadly Dames capris are truly something every pinup needs to experience. 

Heart of Haute 

heartofhaute.com

Pinup Girl Clothing

pinupgirlclothing.com

Much Love

Betté

xx

All Hail The Dolores

For those readers not familiar with Collectif, they are a company from the UK which specialises in gorgeous 1940s and 1950s reproduction clothing.

Versatile and original, made with quality materials and designed to look great on every shape and size.. 

Thats why Collectif is a must in every pinups wardrobe. 

All Hail The Dolores..

Being a lover of Collectif for years, one style of theirs that I just can not get enough of is the Dolores!!

Designed to sit off the shoulders, the sleeves are fitted with elastic to securely and comfortably hold up the top, whilst the zipper (in both the dress and top) is designed to bring the material in and fit your body beautifully. Giving you the perfect hourglass shape.

The Dolores definitely should come with a "dangerous curves ahead" sign!

Ironically enough the first outfit to "pop my collectif cherry" was...

 the Cherry Dolores wiggle dress! 

It was love at first sight and 4 years later that love is just as strong. 

My second Dolores dress was bought in London. I was searching for a dress to wear to Jim's sisters wedding and for the past 4 days and couldn't find a thing!

 I had already been into the same Collectif store several times before but couldn't find what I was looking for. Getting desperate I thought I'd check it out one last time..and after trying on almost every dress in store (again) I had pretty much given up hope. 

Then the sales lady came up to me with the black lace Dolores wiggle dress. I swear the heavens opened up and I heard Angels singing... This was the one!!

That was over a year ago now and I still wear that dress at every chance.

It's the LBD every girl needs in her closet.

When I saw on Instagram that Collectif were having a pre Christmas sale 

in December I knew exactly what I was going to choose.. 

The Dolores top in each block colour (now just to get the patterned ones haha) red,white and black to complement any outfit.!! 

Again... They fit like a glove! 

Worn with Laura Byrnes Cropped Trousers available from pinup girl clothing

Worn with Deadly Dames Capris from pinup girl clothing

Worn with Jenny Skirt from pinup girl clothing

Check Collectif out now!

Collectif

Website: collectif.co.uk 

Instagram: @collectifclothing

I just loooooovvvveeee the Dolores!

If you own a Dolores top/dress, I would absolutely love to see your pictures too.. 

(Tag me... Instagram @betteboom)

Much Love 

Betté

xx